VUMC aids national effort to repurpose drugs for COVID-19
April 19, 2021
https://news.vumc.org/2021/04/19/vumc-aids-national-effort-to-repurpose-drugs-for-covid-19/
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has been named Data Coordinating Center (DCC) for a nationwide platform of studies aimed at “repurposing” existing drugs to treat mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.
Dr. Consuelo Wilkins Testified Before U.S. Senate HELP Committee
March 30, 2021
https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/examining-our-covid-19-response-improving-health-equity-and-outcomes-by-addressing-health-disparities
Dr. Wilkins testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee on Examining Our COVID-19 Response: Improving Health Equity and Outcomes by Addressing Health Disparities. It was exciting to hear her reference several of our projects and to witness the impact of our combined efforts and contributions are making on a national level!
Vanderbilt research played key role in new lung screen guidelines
March 18, 2021
https://news.vumc.org/2021/03/18/vanderbilt-research-played-key-role-in-new-lung-screen-guidelines/
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has formally recommended two changes that will nearly double the number of people eligible for lung cancer screening by lowering the age from 55 to 50 and reducing the number of smoking history pack years from 30 to 20.
Preterm births in Tennessee decreased during pandemic
March 15, 2021
https://news.vumc.org/2021/03/15/preterm-births-in-tennessee-decreased-during-pandemic/
Statewide stay-at-home orders put in place as Tennessee fought to control the spread of coronavirus last March were associated with a 14% lower rate of preterm birth, according to a research letter published today in JAMA Pediatrics.
Preterm infants have higher morbidity and mortality risks than babies born at term.
Some people suffer from vaccine guilt
March 15, 2021
https://www.newschannel5.com/rebound/some-people-suffer-from-vaccine-guilt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — In a lot of cases, securing a COVID-19 vaccination appointment is like winning the golden ticket. However, for some, the vaccination relief is followed by guilt after getting the shot.
"They can feel a little guilty, that’s okay, in time as they realize that they are now insulated to a large degree against a very nasty situation that is developing COVID-19," Dr. Jim Jackson said, "They’re going to feel good, and in time their loved ones are going to get the vaccine."
Study incorporates genetics with smoking history to identify high-risk smokers for lung cancer screening
March 9, 2021
https://news.vumc.org/2021/03/09/study-incorporates-genetics-with-smoking-history-to-identify-high-risk-smokers-for-lung-cancer-screening/
A study by Vanderbilt researchers that analyzed both smoking history and genetic risk variants for lung cancer supports modifying current guidelines to include additional smokers for lung cancer screening.
2020 Tennessee Men’s Health Report Card: Overall improvement, work to be done
March 8, 2021
https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2021/03/08/2020-tennessee-mens-health-report-card-overall-improvement-work-to-be-done
Men’s health across Tennessee is trending toward improvement, according to the 2020 Tennessee Men’s Health Report Card, but racial and geographic disparities persist.
NIH grant bolsters childhood status epilepticus and epilepsy research in Nigeria
March 6, 2021
https://news.vumc.org/2021/03/02/nih-grant-bolsters-childhood-status-epilepticus-and-epilepsy-research-in-nigeria/
The Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health (VIGH) has received a new research grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Fogarty International Center of the NIH to establish a large childhood status epilepticus (SE) cohort in northern Nigeria with key partners Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and Bayero University, and with the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa.